Noise reduction device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a noise reduction device ( 1 ) for arrangement on a traffic route, comprising at least one wall element ( 8 ) having a wall element longitudinal extension ( 28   a ), the wall element ( 8 ) being disposed on at least one base element ( 7 ) having a base element longitudinal extension ( 12 ) in the direction of the wall element longitudinal extension ( 28   a ), and the base element ( 7 ) has a first front face ( 14 ) and a second front face ( 15 ), and the two front faces ( 14, 15 ) extend opposite one another along the base element longitudinal extension ( 12 ). The first front face ( 14 ) of the base element ( 7 ) is provided with a curvature ( 16 ) and the second front face ( 15 ) of the base element ( 7 ) is provided with a second curvature ( 17 ) and the two curvatures ( 16, 17 ) extend in the direction perpendicular to the base element longitudinal extension ( 12 ).

The invention relates to a noise reduction device for arrangement on a traffic route, comprising at least one wall element having a wall element longitudinal extension, the wall element being arranged on at least one base element having a base element longitudinal extension in the direction of the wall element longitudinal extension, and the base element has a first front face and a second front face, and the two front faces lie opposite one another along the base element longitudinal extension, a noise reduction wall system comprising several noise reduction devices disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction, as well as the use of the noise reduction device.

Noise reduction devices in the form of wall elements are used along or on traffic routes to reduce noise. These noise reduction devices are usually erected in a fixed arrangement on or next to the traffic route and an appropriate foundation is built for this purpose, on which or in which stands for the noise reduction walls themselves, usually profiled I-sections or profiled H-sections made from steel, are anchored.

AT 7 753 U1 describes a noise reduction element for use in railway construction. In order to reduce the noise which occurs when the wheels roll on the tracks, it is proposed that a sound reducing element be disposed on a base element constituting a stand surface which can be secured to the ground and which preferably extends vertically upwards, and which is able to move relative to the base element, preferably in a folding arrangement, and/or is mounted so as to be removable.

DE 298 05 730 U1 discloses a noise reducing wall for traffic routes having a support construction supported on the ground, on which prefabricated, sound-absorbing wall elements are secured, which support construction comprises several prefabricated, vertical frames in which the wall elements can be fitted, and the wall elements are at least partially made from recycled material and/or immobilized waste products.

DE 85 28 305 U1 describes a kit for erecting support-free noise reducing walls, and the individual kit elements comprise noise reducing wall elements having rear panels on which insulating layers are disposed, which are covered by perforated panels, and at least a lateral end of the rear panels is of an articulated design with a joint pin which is able to co-operate with the adjacent panel.

AT 10 131 U1 discloses a mobile noise reduction wall, comprising a concrete base, a noise reducing element detachably connected to it and a cross-member which is detachably connected to both the concrete base and the noise reducing element. The noise reducing element is made from highly absorbing noise reduction panels in a steel construction and is mounted on the concrete base and secured by means of cross-members.

DE 44 19 886 A1 discloses a soundproof coating for sound-emitting and/or sound-reflecting surfaces, in particular for railway permanent-way structures, and the soundproof coating comprises a rubber granulate which is set by means of a preferably elastically deformable plastic, and the coating also has a relatively high proportion of at least partially open-pored air pores.

DE 24 07 281 A1 discloses a soundproofing material, two layers of which are placed in contact with one another, each containing a number of inorganic particles thinly coated with an adhesive and thus bonded, holes being formed between mutually adjoining particles. The particle sizes in each layer differ from one another so that essentially all the particles in one layer are more than two times bigger than the maximum size of the particles in the adjoining layer. All the particles in all the layers are essentially within the size range of between 0.1 mm and 15 mm.

WO 98/37276 A1 describes a sound reducing device for reducing the propagation of airborne sound, comprising a track system and an elastically deformable, low sound reducing wall made from rubber or plastic extending in the track longitudinal direction, and the low sound reducing wall disposed at a distance from the track has profiling on its side facing the track (inner side), which extends essentially across the entire wall height, whereas its face remote from the track (outer side) is predominantly of a flat design. The inner side is inclined at an angle α and the outer side is inclined at an angle β, and is so respectively towards the track by reference to the track vertical, and the angle β is bigger than the angle α. The profiling of the inner side is a system of lips, and the lips are oriented at an angle γ, and are so towards the floor of the track relative to the track horizontal. The low sound reducing wall terminates at the top, where the inner side and outer side meet, by a lip inclined towards the track which is oriented at an angle δ, namely upwards relative to the track vertical. The low sound reducing wall also has at least one hollow chamber extending in the track longitudinal direction.

A fixing mechanism is known from AT 8 619 U1, which enables the use of a noise reducing wall without a foundation. The fixing mechanism consists of a simple profiled section which is easy to install and dismantle, which can be connected to a rail. Simple assembly and dismantling is achieved due to the effect of force acting on a mounting plate. An appropriately bent fitting support holds the noise reducing wall at an exact horizontal distance from the rail and at the same time stabilizes the right-angled position with respect to the track. A locking plate connects the noise reducing wall to the fixing mechanism by a latching action. The fitting support is encased in rubber or another elastic material to protect the track and crossties and damp their vibrations. The offset of the fitting support at the transition from the crosstie to the ballast bed underneath is used to ensure that the latter is embedded in the ballast and the full weight of the noise reducing wall is borne by the ballast bed.

AT 9 954 U1 discloses a noise reduction wall for screening the noise which occurs due to travel on railway tracks, the height of the noise reduction wall disposed on either side of a track being approximately 0.5 m to 2 m. The distance between two noise reduction walls—lying opposite one another normally to a longitudinal direction of the track—is in a range of only approximately 3 to 5% bigger than the width of a clearance outline of the track, and the angle of a side of the noise reduction wall facing the track is in a range of approximately −15 to +15° relative to the vertical and a flank nose is provided on a bottom end of the noise reduction wall lying on the ballast of the track on a side remote from the track with a nose end spaced at a distance apart from said remote side, which subtends an angle of approximately 10° to approximately 40° with respect to a horizontal.

AT 508 575 B1 discloses a noise reducing device for erecting on a traffic route comprising at least one wall element, and the wall element is disposed on at least one base element which can be installed on or adjacent to the traffic route without a foundation, and the base element can be installed on a ballast bed of a track and is not anchored in the ground, and the base element has at least one connecting element by means of which the base element can be connected to a crosstie and/or a rail of a track.

The objective of this invention is to simplify the construction of noise reduction devices along lengths of track. In particular, the objective of the invention is to propose an improved noise reduction device.

This objective is achieved, independently in each case, on the basis of the noise reduction device outlined above, the noise reduction wall system outlined above and the use of the noise reduction device and, in the case of the noise reduction device, the first front face of the base element is provided with a curvature and the second front face of the base element is provided with a second curvature, and the two curvatures extend in the direction perpendicular to the base element longitudinal extension, the protective wall system being made up of the noise reduction devices, and the protective device is used as a noise reduction wall along a track, the noise reduction wall being erected at a distance of between 50 cm and 120 cm from the neighboring track.

The advantage of this is that the design of the curvatures enables radii of curvature to be more easily produced. Furthermore, as a result of this construction, the noise reduction wall system is able to withstand higher lateral forces acting on it because the forces are distributed by the mutually adjoining noise reduction devices to several noise reduction devices and the noise reduction devices can be prevented from sliding laterally apart from one another when the noise reduction wall system is in the assembled state. In other words, lateral movement of the individual noise reduction devices in the noise reduction wall system is reduced, so that means for securing the noise reduction device to the tracks or to the crosstie can be dispensed with, even though the noise reduction devices are erected at a very short distance from the rail, preferably without a foundation, i.e. they are erected on only a ballast bed or optionally on a solid carriageway. This makes it possible to erect the noise reduction wall system very close to the source of the noise, as a result of which the height of the noise reduction devices can be reduced. It also results in higher security in the center region between the tracks of two directions of travel in terms of fixing the position of the noise reduction devices. Avoiding mechanical connections between the noise reduction devices and the rails or crossties simplifies construction of the noise reduction wall system.

Based on a preferred embodiment, the first curvature has a conical contour and the second curvature has a convex contour. The base elements or all the noise reduction elements may therefore all be of the same shape, which simplifies manufacture of the elements on the one hand and their assembly on the other hand. Furthermore, it is also possible to produce narrower radii of curvature, imparting greater stability to the noise reduction wall.

Another option is for the wall element and base element to be of an integral design. This significantly reduces the time needed to assemble the noise reduction wall system. Conversely, however, the time needed to dismantle the noise reduction device by simply lifting it with a crane can also be reduced and simplified, which specifically offers advantages when it comes to maintenance work along the run of track or rescue operations after train accidents.

Based on another embodiment, the wall element and/or the base element is or are made from a lightweight concrete incorporating pores. Accordingly, these noise reduction elements may be based on a monolithic design, thereby obviating the need for a complex structure to achieve a noise reducing effect. In addition, this offers a simple way of adapting the noise reducing behavior by opting for an appropriate choice of pore size or by providing a pore size spectrum or based on the number of pores, i.e. the total pore volume.

However, another option is for the wall element to be filled with rock wool or rubber granulate. In particular, this wall element is used as a so-called field element. Accordingly, a wall element is provided which has a high resistance to adverse weather conditions but does not require any special treatment to improve resistance to weathering and is low in terms of maintenance, whilst at the same time achieving a relatively high reduction of noise nuisance for residents living along the run of track.

With a view to reducing noise nuisance still further, a barrier element to sound waves is disposed on and/or in the wall element. This enables overall weight to be reduced whilst improving noise reduction.

Based on one embodiment of the noise reduction wall system, the noise reduction devices are connected to one another in a positive fit. This enables an additional force-fitting connection to be dispensed with, for example by means of retaining clamps or screws. Opting for solely a positively fitting connection in turn makes assembly and dismantling of the noise reduction wall system simpler on the one hand, whilst also making production of the noise reduction device simpler on the other hand, because fittings such as screw plates or similar for providing a force-fitting connection between the noise reduction devices can be dispensed with.

In order to reduce the risk of the noise reduction device shifting due to (micro) movements in the ballast bed in terms of its position, in particular as regards the distance from the rails, exclusively the first and/or the last noise reduction device of the several noise reduction devices disposed one after the other has or have at least one connecting element by means of which the noise reduction device can be connected to a crosstie and/or a rail of a track. Again, the advantage of this is that this connection is limited to at most two noise reduction devices, thereby enabling assembly and dismantling of the noise reduction wall system to be further simplified. The stability of the other noise reduction devices between the two end elements in terms of position with respect to one another is obtained by the positively fitting connection of the individual noise reduction devices to one another.

To provide a clearer understanding, the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings.

These are simplified schematic diagrams illustrating the following:

FIG. 1 the design of a noise reduction device on a railway traffic route seen from the front in the direction of the rail traffic route;

FIG. 2 a noise reduction device viewed from an angle;

FIG. 3 a plan view of the noise reduction device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a first end element for the noise reduction device illustrated in FIG. 4 viewed from an angle;

FIG. 5 a plan view of the end element illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 another end element for the noise reduction device illustrated in FIG. 4 viewed from an angle;

FIG. 7 a detail from a noise reduction wall system with several noise reduction devices of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6 viewed from an angle with a rail connection;

FIG. 8 a plan view of the noise reduction wall system illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 a detail from another noise reduction wall system with several noise reduction devices based on one embodiment, viewed from an angle, with a rail connection;

FIG. 10 a plan view of the noise reduction wall system illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 an end view of the noise reduction wall system illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 an embodiment of a fixing element for securing a wall element to a base element of a noise reduction device, viewed from the front;

FIG. 13 a side view of the fixing element illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 the fixing element illustrated in FIG. 12 viewed from behind;

FIG. 15 a plan view of the fixing element illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 a plan view of a rail connecting element for connecting a noise reduction device to a rail;

FIG. 17 a side view of the rail connecting element illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 the rail connecting element illustrated in FIG. 16 viewed from an angle;

FIG. 19 a plan view of an embodiment of a base element of the noise reduction device;

FIG. 20 a plan view of another embodiment of a base element of the noise reduction device.

Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in the different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and the same component names and the disclosures made throughout the description can be transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the same reference numbers or same component names. Furthermore, the positions chosen for the purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., relate to the drawing specifically being described and can be transposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another position is being described.

FIG. 1 illustrates two embodiments of a noise reduction device 1 which are very similar to one another and which are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 8 and 9 and 10. In particular, these noise reduction devices 1 are used as noise reduction walls in the region of track systems 2 and, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the noise reduction device 1 has an advantage in that it can be erected very close to track runs 3 so that the noise generated by wheels 4 of railway vehicles 5 and the track runs 3 can be effectively damped or directed to an area where it no longer constitutes a nuisance, even if the structural height of the noise reduction device 1 is low.

These two noise reduction devices 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 are naturally positioned to allow unhindered operation of railway vehicles 5, i.e. they are disposed at a sufficient distance 6, 7 from the travelling railway vehicles 5. Due to the construction of the noise reduction devices 1, this distance 6, 7 of the two noise reduction devices 1 is between 0.5 m and 1.2 m, in particular between 0.7 m and 1 m, so that the two noise reduction devices 1 can be erected very close to the source of the noise. In this respect, the distance 6, 7 is measured between the edge of the outer edge of the noise reduction devices 1 facing the rails and the middle of the neighboring rail.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the first embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, a so-called center element, which in particular is disposed at least approximately centrally between two track runs.

The noise reduction device 1 comprises or consists of a base element 7 and at least one wall element 8, and several wall elements 8 may also be used, for example two placed one above the other. It would naturally also be possible to use a different number of wall elements 8 disposed one above the other in the noise reduction device 1.

Such a wall element 4 may have a length of for example ca. 3 m, a width of ca. 12 cm to ca. 20 cm and a height of ca. 80 cm to ca. 100 cm, although these figures should not be construed as restrictive.

This noise reduction device 1 may consist of several parts, and in particular the base element 7 and wall element 8 may be separate components of the noise reduction device 1.

The base element 7 is preferably a concrete base in the form of a flat element as may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, such a base element 3 may have a width of ca. 1.2 m, a length of ca. 3 m and a height of ca. 0.26 m, these figures also being given purely by way of example.

One surface 9 is preferably flat and optionally has a gradient in the direction towards longitudinal end faces 10, 11 extending in the direction of a base element longitudinal extension 12. The gradient may be only a few degrees, for example between 0.5° and 3°, to allow water to drain off.

However, it would also be possible for this base element 3 to be designed so that an at least approximately flat surface is formed in a middle region 13 on which the wall element or elements 8 are disposed, and the width of this surface in the direction towards the tracks may at least approximately correspond to or be greater than the width of the wall elements 8.

However, the base element 7 is preferably made integrally with the wall element 8, in other words produced as a single piece with the wall element 8.

The bottom face of the base element 3 is preferably of a flat design in order to provide a bigger standing surface and thus impart greater stability to the noise reduction device 1.

Given that the base element 7 is disposed on a ballast bed 14 (FIG. 1) of a track system 2, it may be of advantage if an elastomer element, for example a rubber mat or a non-woven material, is provided on the bottom face of the base element 7, into which the pieces of ballast can be partially pressed. This elastomer element or non-woven material may be adhered to the bottom face of the base element 7 and another option is to lay it in the formwork when producing the base element 7 so that it is already joined to the concrete base during production.

The base element 7 has a first front face 14 and a second front face 15 lying opposite one another along the base element longitudinal extension 12. As may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the first front face 14 is provided with a curvature 16 and the second front face is provided with a second curvature 17, and the two curvatures extend in the direction perpendicular to the base element longitudinal extension 12. The first curvature 16 has a radius of curvature 18 and the second curvature 17 has a second radius of curvature 19 and in this embodiment, the two radii of curvature 18, 19 extend parallel with the plane of the surface 9, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The two radii of curvature 18, 19 may be of differing sizes but in the preferred embodiment have at least approximately the same value, in other words are at least approximately to.

At this stage, it should be pointed out that the expression “at least approximately” in the context of the description should be understood as meaning that variances are possible within manufacturing tolerances. If anything else is meant, this will be pointed out separately.

The values of the two radii of curvature 18, 19 may be selected from a range of 0.75 m to 1.5 m, in particular from a range of 0.85 m to 1.2 m. For example, the two radii of curvature 18, 19 may be based on a size of 1 m.

In a noise reduction wall system 20 created by aligning several base elements 7 in a row, as illustrated by the detail of in FIG. 7 for example, the curvatures 16, 17 impart to the base elements 7 an ability to move to a certain degree in the horizontal direction in the direction of the base element longitudinal extension 12, thereby making it possible to approximate the radius of curvature in the bend region of rails more effectively. However, this ability to move imparted by the curvatures 16, 17 is not so great that the base elements 7 move out of mutual engagement, thereby also ensuring that the noise reduction wall system 20 is stable in its longitudinal direction. This in turn offers an advantage because it is not necessary to fix the base elements 7 to the rails or crossties because the base elements 7 of the noise reduction wall system 20 are essentially self-stabilizing in terms of their position relative to one another.

The two curvatures 16, 17 of the front faces 14, 15 may have different radii of curvature 18, 19. However, these two curvatures have at least approximately the same radius of curvature 18, 19.

Based on the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first curvature 17 of the front face 14 is inwardly cambered, in other words concave, and the second curvature 18 of the second front face 15 is outwardly cambered, in other words convex. Aligning noise reduction devices 1 in the noise reduction wall system 20 creates a positive connection because the convex curvature 17 of one noise reduction device 1 engages in the concave curvature 16 of a second, adjoining noise reduction device 1.

In order to mount the wall element 8 on the base element 7, at least two anchor plates may be provided, which are disposed eccentrically with respect to and spaced apart from the two end faces 5, as disclosed in AT 508 575 B1, to which explicit reference is made and which therefore falls within the scope of this description in this context.

In the preferred variant of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, however, the base element 7 is made integrally with the wall element 8. In particular, these two elements are made from concrete, preferably a lightweight concrete incorporating pores. However, it would also be possible for the base element 7 to be produced from a non-porous concrete, onto which the wall element 8 made from lightweight concrete is cast, in which case appropriate formwork is used in order to produce an integral noise reduction device 1.

It should be pointed out that by lightweight concrete is meant a concrete with a maximum weight by volume of 2500 kg/m³.

The lightweight concrete may have pores with a size selected from a range of 2 mm to 12 mm, in particular from a range of 4 mm to 8 mm. It is also of advantage to provide pores of differing sizes because this enables a broader spectrum of sound frequencies to be covered.

However, it is also possible for the wall element 8 to be made from a different material, as described in more detail below.

To assist with moving this noise reduction device, lifting eyes 21 may be provided on the top face of the wall element 8, in particular cast in the wall element 8.

At least individual ones of the edges of the noise reduction device 1 in this and all embodiment(s) may be of a chamfered design. Likewise, the transition between the wall element 8 and base element 7 may be of a rounded design.

FIGS. 4 and 5 as well as 6 illustrate embodiments of the noise reduction devices 1 viewed from an angle or from above. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a first end element 22 and FIG. 6 a second end element 23 of the noise reduction wall system 20, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

By contrast with the embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, these end elements 22 and 23 are provided with wall elements 8 which have an at least partially inclined contour. Accordingly, the height above the base element 7 of the wall element 8 based on the embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 increases from the front face 15 in the direction towards the front face 14 and that based on the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 decreases in this direction, and in the case of two embodiments, angled regions of the wall elements 8 may merge into a horizontally extending region of the top face, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6.

However, it should be pointed out that although it may be of advantage to opt for a separate design of the end elements 22, 23, the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 may also be used as these end elements 22, 23.

Given that these noise reduction devices 1 may form the end elements 22, 23 of the noise reduction wall system 20, the front face 15 of the base element 7 of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the front face 14 of the base element 7 of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be straight, i.e. without curvatures, because no other noise reduction device 1 sits in in a positive fit on these front faces 14, 15. However, the design of these front faces 14, 15 having the curvatures 16, 17 described above is nevertheless possible.

Another option is for these end elements 22, 23 to be of a shorter design than that of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Furthermore, these end elements 22, 23 may be based on the design of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in particular in terms of the choice of materials for the base element 7 and wall element 8.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the noise reduction wall system 20 made up of several noise reduction devices 1 viewed from an angle and from above. The positively fitting connection of the individual noise reduction devices 1 may be seen in these drawings in particular.

Although FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate only two of the noise reduction devices 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 as well as the end element 22, the number of noise reduction devices 1 will depend on the length of the run to be fitted with these noise reduction devices 1 and the diagrams shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 should therefore not be construed as restrictive. In addition, the end element 23 illustrated in FIG. 6 may also be provided on what is the left-hand side in the drawings as a termination.

The noise reduction devices 1 between the two end elements 22 and 23 are not connected to the track run 3. They are also not connected to the crossties but sit without any foundations on the ballast bed, although the latter is not illustrated. Only the two end elements 22, 23 are preferably connected to the track run 3 in order to fix the position of the noise reduction wall system 20 relative to the track run 3. No fixing of the other noise reduction devices 1 between the end elements 22, 23 is necessary due to the positive connection between the noise reduction devices 1.

The end elements 22, 23 are connected to the track run 3—alternatively these end elements 22, 23 could also each be connected to a crosstie—respectively by a connecting element 24. To affix the connecting elements 24 to the end element 22 respectively 23, they may be provided with a coupling element 25 respectively 26 (see also FIGS. 4 and 6). In the simplest situation, these coupling elements 25, 26 are provided in the form of metal strips to which the connecting element 24 is screwed. The coupling elements 25, 26 may be secured to the surface of the base element 7, for example by means of screws. However, they are preferably integrated in the concrete body of the base element and in particular cast with it and anchored in it, for example by means of claws, round steel rods, flat steel lugs, etc. To this end, these coupling elements 25, 26 may be placed in the formwork used to produce the base element before the latter is cast with the concrete.

However, it would also be possible to use other coupling elements 25, 26, by means of which the connection between the connecting element 24 and noise reduction device can be established. It would optionally also be possible to dispense with the coupling elements 25, 26 and connect the connecting element 24 directly to the noise reduction device 1, in particular by a screw fixing.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show the embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, disposed in the side regions of a track, in other words not between two tracks, i.e. the so-called field element. Several noise reduction devices 1 again make up the noise reduction wall system 20 and the two end elements 22, 23 (only end element 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11) are also provided with this embodiment and in particular can be connected by the connecting element 24 to the track 3. Accordingly, reference may be made to the explanations given above.

The base element 7 is preferably cast from concrete and is based on the design of a flat element although it may have a shorter width than the base element 7 based on the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. This width of the top face is preferably dimensioned so that a walkway with a width of ca. 0.5 m can be provided next to the wall elements 8.

In principle, it is also possible for the base element 7 to be made integrally with the wall element 8 in this embodiment of the noise reduction device 1, However, a separate design is preferred so that the wall elements can be easily removed if necessary, in which case the remaining base element 7 will define re-positioning, thereby making re-erection easier.

This base element 3 may also be provided with the anchoring plates described above in order to hold the wall elements 8 above them, i.e. to secure the holders provided for this purpose, and the latter are not disposed in a middle region but in the region of one of the longitudinal side edges 27, 28 depending on whether the wall element 8 is disposed to the right or left. The longitudinal side edges 27, 28 extend in the direction of a wall element longitudinal extension 28 a.

However, a preferred embodiment is one where the wall element 8 is laterally secured to the base element 7 by means of a support element 29, which is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15. Connected to this support element 29 is a retaining element 30, which is used to retain the wall elements 8. The retaining element 30 is provided in the form of a profiled H-section retaining element so that the wall elements 8 can be slotted into these without the need for additional connecting elements. Naturally, however, the wall elements 30 could be connected to the support element by mechanical means and/or in a positively fitting arrangement if necessary.

The support element is connected to the base element 7 at a side face 31 thereof, in particular by mechanical means, for example screwed to it. This side face is of an angled design and extends inwards, as may be seen from FIGS. 9 and 11. As a result of this side face 31 extending at an angle relative to the surface of the base element 7, a better hold of the support element 29 is obtained, especially with respect to the suction effect and thrust effect of a passing train.

Starting from the top face of the base element, the side face 32 facing the track run 3 is at least partially angled. This angling means that the base element 7 can be positioned closer to the track run 3 making allowance for the clearance outline of the railway vehicle (see FIG. 1). This results in more efficient noise damping in spite of a shorter wall height of the wall element 8, which might be between 0.7 m and 1.2 m, in particular between 0.8 m and 1 m, for example.

Accordingly, the base element 7 of this embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 preferably has a cross-section in the shape of an irregular pentagon, as may be seen in FIG. 11.

This base element 7 may also have lifting eyes 21.

For details of the curvatures 16, 17 of the front faces 14, 15 of the base element 7 and the end elements 22, 23, reference may be made to the explanations given above.

The wall element 4 itself may be made from concrete, a rubber granulate/concrete mixture or a composite element comprising two lateral facing walls with rubber granulate disposed in between or rubber granulate bonded with a binding agent. Another possible way of improving the acoustic effect is to provide the side faces, in particular those faces directed towards the traffic route, with commercially available acoustic non-woven material.

Another option is for the wall element 4 as a whole to be made from a plastic or a hard elastomer or similar.

If a mixture of rubber particles/concrete or rubber particles/plastic particles/plastic binding agents is used, the proportion of rubber particles in this mixture may be selected from a range with a lower limit of 10% by volume and an upper limit of 70% by volume or from a range with a lower limit of 20% by volume and an upper limit of 65% by volume or from a range with a lower limit of 25% by volume and an upper limit of 55% by volume.

A binding agent for plastics or similar may also optionally be added to the rubber particles/concrete mixture. The proportion of the plastic binding agent in the case of two variants may be in the range of between 5% by weight and 25% by weight, in particular between 10% by weight and 15% by weight. In terms of the plastic particles used, these may be particles of PE, PP, PTFE, PVC, etc., for example, in particular recycled materials. The rubber particles/plastic particles/plastic binding agent mixture may optionally also contain a hydraulic binding agent, e.g. cement.

Another option is to select a mean grain size of these rubber particles from a range with a lower limit of 0.4 mm and an upper limit of 4 mm or from a range with a lower limit of 1 mm and an upper limit of 3.5 mm or from a range with a lower limit of 1.5 mm and an upper limit of 3 mm.

In the case of a wall element 4 filled with rubber granulate, this rubber granulate may have a grain size of between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. In this respect, it has proved to be of advantage to use different grain sizes of rubber granulate in a wall element 4, for example grain sizes of 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm and 4 mm, in order to obtain a different filling level and differing acoustic behavior. Accordingly, it is possible to create cavities between the individual rubber particles, in which case the proportion of cavities is between 5% by volume and 30% by volume, relative to the total volume occupied by the rubber granulate. These cavities also reduce noise nuisance on the side facing away from the traffic route.

Generally speaking, in the context of the invention, the rubber particles may be provided with a standard plastic binder, in which case its proportion may be between 5% by weight and 15% by weight. A polyurethane adhesive is used by preference.

The binding agent may be cement or concrete, although it would also be possible to use other binding agents in order to obtain a self-supporting wall element 8 made from a rubber granulate.

With regard to the particle sizes of the rubber granulate, it is of advantage if these are also incorporated in the rubber particle/concrete mixture.

In addition, it is also possible for the wall element 8 to be constructed in a different way, for example from woodwork materials, in which case these woodwork materials may also be used in the form of composite materials, for example with wooden lathwork on the two side walls, i.e. the walls directed towards and away from the traffic route, and an acoustic filling or noise-reducing filling made from insulating material or similar in between.

In the case of wall elements 8 filled with rubber granulate, it is also possible for them to be cast, for example from an elastomer, in particular a hard elastomer, or from concrete, in which case an appropriate recess is provided between the two side walls which is then filled with rubber granulate.

In a preferred embodiment of the wall element 8, rock wool is used as a filling for the carcasses.

Another option is to provide a barrier element on or in the wall element 8 to counter sound waves, for example made from metal, plastic or concrete.

It should be pointed out that also in the case of the embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in other words the center element, a wall element 8 of this type may be used instead of the integral wall element 8 described, although this is not the preferred embodiment of this noise reduction device 1.

The wall elements 8 are preferably disposed on the base elements 7 in such a way that they span two mutually adjacent base elements 7, thereby enabling cohesiveness within the noise reduction wall system 20 to be improved. Another option is for the base element 7 to be of a length in the direction of the track extension which at least approximately corresponds to the length of the wall elements 8 in the same direction.

For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that the two end elements 22, 23 are shorter than the rest of the noise reduction devices 1.

If necessary, it is also possible to connect the wall element 8 to the base element 7 by mechanical means.

The base element 7 is preferably not anchored in the ground, in other words sits without any foundation on a ballast bed.

FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate the support element 29 from different perspectives. This support element 29 is made in particular from a metal material, preferably from steel. At least certain regions of an outer edge 33 pointing away from the wall element 8 (e.g. FIG. 10) are of a rounded design, although this shape should not be construed as restrictive. Alternatively, it would also be possible to opt for polygonal shapes, etc.

The support element is essentially made up of a bottom region 34 and a top region 35. The top region 35 serves as a support surface 36 for the retaining element 30, in other words the profiled H-section mentioned above, for example. This support surface 36 is oriented with its longitudinal extension at least approximately vertical in the fitted state.

The bottom region 34 in turn has a connecting surface 37, by means of which the support element 29 is connected to the base element 7, in particular screwed to the side face 31 as described above. To this end, this connecting surface 37 may be provided with appropriate orifices 38.

The connecting surface 37 is disposed at an angle 39 relative to the vertical, as may be seen from FIG. 13, so that the connecting surface 37 lies in an at least approximately flat arrangement against the side face 31 of the base element 7. The angle 39 may be selected from a range of 120° to 180°. Accordingly, the side face 31 is also inclined at an at least approximately corresponding angle.

A cover plate 40 may be provided on the top face of the support element 29, by means of which the top open end of the retaining element 30 can be covered (e.g. FIG. 10).

However, another option is to use the support element 29 itself as the retaining element 30 for the wall element 8. In this embodiment, the support surface 36 is the center web of the H-shaped cross-section. To the rear, two support surfaces 41, 42 are provided in the form of a vertical leg 43. Disposed between the bottom region 34 and the top region 33 are support surfaces 44, 45 which extend at least approximately in the horizontal direction when the support element 29 is in the fitted state and provide a support for the wall element 8. The wall element 8 may therefore preferably be clamped between one of the support surfaces 44, 45 and the cover plate 40. Once the wall elements 8 has been inserted in the support element 29, the open region to the rear can be closed by means of another, in particular plate-shaped, cover element 46 (FIG. 9) thereby resulting in an H-shaped cross-section when viewed from above.

The support element 29 may also be used as part of the grounding system of the noise reduction device 1.

FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate different views of the connecting element 24 by means of which the end elements 22 respectively 23 are connected to the track run 3 (FIG. 11).

The connecting element 24 is provided in the form of a clamp in particular and essentially comprises two parts (apart from the illustrated screw connection for these two parts), namely a clamp element 47 and a fastening element 48.

By means of the fastening element 48, the connecting element 29 is connected to the base element 7. To this end, the fastening element 48 may be at least approximately L-shaped at the rear end with an at least approximately vertically oriented leg 49.

The clamp element 47 is of an at least approximately shackle-shaped or at least approximately carriage-shaped design and has hook-shaped end regions 50, 51 at its front end which extend around the track run 3 from the bottom face and are hooked onto it, as may be seen from FIGS. 7, 9 and 11, for example. In order to produce the clamping effect, the front end of the fastening element 48 has an approximately U-shaped cross-section as viewed from the side and thus acts as a clamp element part 52. On its front at least approximately vertical leg, the clamp element part 52 has at least one support element 53, for example a rubber damper, which lies in the region above the rail foot on the track run 3 in the fitted state and thus clamps it.

This connection is preferably designed to permit a certain amount of relative movement between the base element 7 and rail.

FIG. 19 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 serving as a center element in the noise reduction wall system 20. It also comprises the base element 7 and the wall element 8. Where this embodiment differs from the embodiments described above is that a base element 7 has exclusively convex curvatures 17 and the adjoining base element 7 has exclusively concave curvatures 16, and the radii of curvature in terms of their values are preferably of the same size for all base elements 7.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the noise reduction device 1 in the noise reduction wall system 20 from a side view incorporating the base element 7 and the wall element 8. In this embodiment, the curvatures 16, 17 do not extend horizontally but vertically.

It should be pointed out that although the noise reduction devices 1 illustrated in the diagrams of FIGS. 19 and 20 are not sitting one against the other, they are disposed end to end sitting one against the other in the noise reduction wall system 20, as is the case with all embodiments of the noise reduction device 1.

In the case of another embodiment, not illustrated, it is possible for the base element 7 to have curvatures 16, 17 extending both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, thereby creating an at least approximately spherically-shaped cross-sectional surface of the front faces 14, 15 (e.g. FIG. 3).

It should generally be pointed out that the curvatures 16, 17 in all of the embodiments may be provided with a radius of curvature which increases or decreases around the contour of the curvature.

Furthermore, at least one seal element, e.g. a Compriband N, is disposed between the noise reduction devices 1 in at least certain regions on the front faces 14, 15 in the case of all embodiments of the noise reduction device 1 and the noise reduction wall system 20.

It is also of advantage if the base element 7 has ground connections for the electrical grounding.

The embodiments illustrated as examples represent possible variants of the noise reduction device 1, and it should be pointed out at this stage that the invention is not specifically limited to the variants specifically illustrated, and instead the individual variants may be used in different combinations with one another and these possible variations lie within the reach of the person skilled in this technical field given the disclosed technical teaching.

For the sake of good order, finally, it should be pointed out that, in order to provide a clearer understanding of the structure of the noise reduction device 1, it and its constituent parts are illustrated to a certain extent out of scale and/or on an enlarged scale and/or on a reduced scale.

It should also be noted that parts of the noise reduction device 1 and the noise reduction wall system 20 may constitute individual inventions in their own right. This applies in particular to the design of the base element 7 and/or the wall element 8 based on lightweight concrete incorporating pores, the design of the wall element 8 incorporating rock wool, the connecting element 24 for connecting the noise reduction device 1 and noise reduction wall system 20 to a rail as well as the support element 29 for connecting the wall element 8 to the base element 7.

List of reference numbers  1 Noise reduction device  2 Track system  3 Track run  4 Wheel  5 Railway vehicle  6 Distance  7 Base element  8 Wall element  9 Surface 10 Longitudinal end face 11 Longitudinal end face 12 Base element longitudinal extension 13 Middle region 14 Front face 15 Front face 16 Curvature 17 Curvature 18 Radius of curvature 19 Radius of curvature 20 Noise reduction wall system 21 Lifting eye 22 End element 23 End element 24 Connecting element 25 Coupling element 26 Coupling element 27 Longitudinal side edge 28 Longitudinal side edge 28a Wall element longitudinal extension 29 Support element 30 Retaining element 31 Side face 32 Side face 33 Outer edge 34 Region 35 Region 36 Support surface 37 Connecting surface 38 Orifice 39 Angle 40 Cover plate 41 Support surface 42 Support surface 43 Vertical leg 44 Support surface 45 Support surface 46 Cover element 47 Clamp element 48 Fastening element 49 Leg 50 End region 51 End region 52 Clamp element part 53 Support element 

1. Noise reduction device (1) for arrangement on a traffic route, comprising at least one wall element (8) having a wall element longitudinal extension (28 a), the wall element (8) being arranged on at least one base element (7) having a base element longitudinal extension (12) in the direction of the wall element longitudinal extension (28 a), and the base element (7) has a first front face (14) and a second front face (15), and the two front faces (14, 15) lie opposite one another along the base element longitudinal extension (12), wherein the first front face (14) of the base element (7) is provided with a curvature (16) and the second front face (15) of the base element (7) is provided with a second curvature (17), and the two curvatures (16, 17) extend in the direction perpendicular to the base element longitudinal extension (12).
 2. Noise reduction device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the curvature (16) has a conical contour and the second curvature (17) has a convex contour.
 3. Noise reduction device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wall element (8) and the base element (7) are of an integral design.
 4. Noise reduction device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wall element (8) and/or the base element (7) are made from a lightweight concrete incorporating pores.
 5. Noise reduction device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wall element (8) has a filling of rock wool or rubber granulate.
 6. Noise reduction device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a barrier element against sound waves is disposed on and/or in the wall element (8).
 7. Noise reduction wall system (20) comprising several noise reduction devices (1) disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the noise reduction device (1) is based on that according to claim
 1. 8. Noise reduction wall system (20) according to claim 7, wherein the noise reduction devices (1) are connected to one another in a positively fitting arrangement.
 9. Noise reduction wall system (20) according to claim 7, wherein exclusively the first and/or the last noise reduction devices (1) of the several noise reduction devices (1) disposed one after the other has or have at least one connecting element (24) by means of which the noise reduction device (1) can be connected to a crosstie and/or a rail of a track.
 10. Use of the noise reduction device (1) according to claim 1 as a noise reduction wall along a track, the noise reduction wall being erected at a distance of between 50 cm and 120 cm from the neighboring rail. 